League Rivals Join Howe Testimonial

David Howe has added three top Premier League friends and rivals to the field for his Testimonial at Scunthorpe on 24th March. Ricky Ashworth (Berwick), Leigh Lanham (Ipswich) and Richard Hall (Sheffield) are now on the list of David’s friends turning out for his big day.

Berwick no. 1 Ashworth speaks highly of David. “I knew who David Howe was before I was a speedway rider, he was obviously a good up and coming young rider.

“I probably didn’t really meet David properly until he came back to the Premier League in 2009, but since then obviously I’ve raced against him a lot with the derbies between Sheffield and Scunthorpe.

“We have a good laugh before the meetings and talk about the bikes, speedway rules and things like that! We were out testing the other week and I’ve told him that if I do his Testimonial then he’s got to do mine when it comes!

“It’s great to be in the meeting and I hope he gets a good turnout, he’s been a great servant to British Speedway so that’s what he deserves.

Leigh Lanham actually signed up for the meeting ages ago and is probably wondering why he hasn’t been announced yet.

Leigh is about 5 years older than David and he says “David’s quite a bit younger than me, and I think I was just finishing the Under-21s as he was coming in. I rode with him for England Under-21 against a Swedish side, and David was relatively new and I didn’t know too much about him.

“I was impressed with what I saw and with his willingness to take on board any advice. He’s a good guy, a fair racer and I’ve always enjoyed his company.

“Not all of us become world class riders but he’s a dedicated club man and a top guy in the Premier League.”

Of this week’s trio, Richard Hall is the only one who has actually been a UK team mate of David’s, at Scunthorpe in 2011.